Mine firing control device



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MINE FIRING CONTROL DEVICE Filed July 14, 1943 a Sheets-Shee t 2 Feb. 19, 1957 J. D. TURLAY 2,781,723

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MINE FIRING CONTROL DEVICE Filed July 14, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 lllllllll J. D. TURLAY Feb. 19, 1957 J. D. TU RLAY MINE FIRING CONTROL DEVICE Filed July 14, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 lOl I09 v 97 79 n5 K QEL s4 all e: an

Feb. 19, 1957 J. D. TURLAY 3 v MINE FIRING CONTROL DEVICE Filed July 14, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Elma/whom J. D. TURLAY Feb. 19, 1957 J. D. TURLAY 2,781,723

' MINE FIRING CONTROL DEVICE Filed July 14, 1943 a Sheets-Sheet s United States Patent MINE FIRING CONTROL DEVICE Joseph D. Turlay, Bethesda, Md.

Application July 14, 1943, Serial No. 494,625

11 Claims. (Cl. 102-16) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec. 266) This invention relates to mine firing and control devices in which a detonating mechanism is brought into operative relation with respect to an explosive booster charge in response to the pressure of the water within which the mine is planted and in which the mine is automatically destroyed when the mine is raised toward the surface of the water. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hydrostatically controlled mecha nism for moving an electroresponsive detonator from a safe retracted position to an extended-position within an explosive booster charge and in which the extender is maintained within the booster charge by the pressure of the surrounding water, the mechanism also including a switch device adapted to close a firing circuit to the detonator in the event that an attempt is made to recover the mine by moving the mine toward the surface of the water.

With the use of relatively high explosives within the detonator device, it has been found necessary to arrange the detonator at a distance from the booster charge within the explosive chamber prior to the launching of the mine in order to prevent the detonation of the booster charge in the event that the detonator is prematurely fired While in the retracted position before being moved into operative relation with respect to the booster charge. It has, therefore, been found necessary to actuate the detonator through a considerable distance in order to move the detonator from the original safe position thereof to the armed position within the booster charge.

Various mechanisms have heretofore been employed for effecting relative movement between the detonator and the booster charge, such mechanisms comprising pistons adapted to move the detonator toward the booster charge, or the booster charge towards the detonator, as the case may be, by the pressure of the surrounding water. Certain other mechanisms such, for example, as the lazy tongs arrangement disclosed in United States Patent 1,372,617 for Submarine Mine issued to Simon P. Fullinwider on March 22, 1921, have been proposed for extending the detonating element from a retracted position through a considerable distance to the fully extended position within the booster charge by the pressure of the water against a relatively flat flexible diaphragm. Such devices have proved to be not altogether satisfactory in service for the reason that the frictional load of the moving parts has been found-to detract from the power supplied by the moving element in communication with the surrounding water sufliciently to cause the detonating element to be brought to rest before the full limit of travel thereof is reached with the result that the operation of the detonating element has at times failed to explode the mine.

In the device of the present invention this difliculty is overcome by the provision of a new and improved hydrostatically controlled extender mechanism in which the moving element in communication with the surrounding water comprises a flexible diaphragm having a central portion sufliciently full to permit relatively large move- 7 2,781,723 Patented Feb. 19, 1957 ment of the actuating element secured thereto without the employment of a lazy tongs or other motion multiplying device. The flexible diaphragm of the present invention is prevented from being collapsed by the pressure of the water thereagainst by reason of the provision of a cylindrical member centrally arranged with respect thereto and secured to a movable plunger or rod normally maintained in the extended position by a spring having suflicient strength to prevent the inward movement of the plunger until the pressure of the surrounding water has reached a predetermined value. As the plunger is moved inwardly by the pressure of the water from the initial position to the extended position, the aforesaid flexible diaphragm is caused to flex inwardly whereby the Water pressure across a considerable portion of the diaphragm is reversed, the pressure changing from radial pressure inwardly toward the aforesaid cylindrical memher to pressure acting radially outwardly from the plunger, a substantial portion of the diaphragm being forced against the wall of a cylindrical well of greater diameter than the cylindrical member and arranged coaxially therewith when the plunger has been moved inwardly to the fully extended position. v

The device is particularly suitable for use with a submarine mine of the type adapted to be planted from the torpedo tube of a submarine in which the premature operation of the device is prevented by an arming pin extending through a movable cap slideably arranged on the end of the device in alinement with the plunger rod and additionally prevented from being prematurely operated by a detachable safety bar extending along the mine opposite the cap and in abutting relation therewith.

In devices heretofore proposed for preventing the premature operation of a hydrostatically controlled detonator extending mechanism employed for use with a submarine mine adapted to be launched from a torpedo tube, it has been found that when the aforesaid safety bar is removed from the mine, the slideable cap becomes detached from the device and may be drawn inwardly into the torpedo tube by the pressure of the surrounding water sufiiciently to prevent the closure of the locking gate of the torpedo tube.

In the device of the present invention the slideable cap is provided with means for preventing the detachment of the cap from the device as the mine is launched from the torpedo tube and, therefore, there is no possibility of the locking gate of the torpedo tube becoming jammed or clogged by the aforesaid cap after the mine has been ejected therefrom.

The improved extender mechanism of the present in vention includes a switching mechanism adapted to close a pair of contacts as the detonator is moved from the extended position thereof by a reduction in the pressure of the water against the aforesaid flexible diaphragm and thereby close a firing circuit to the detonator before the detonator has been moved suffieiently from the fully extended position thereof to prevent the destruction of the mine by the explosion of the detonator. The flexible diaphragm of the present invention is arranged Within a chamber having a plurality of relatively small apertures therein for establishing communication with the surrounding water thereby providing an arrangement in which the reduction in pressure impulse or shock received as a result of the countermine explosion or the explosion of another mine within the vicinity of the device is prevented from actuating the aforesaid plunger rod sufficiently to close the contacts of the switching mechanism and fire the mine.

It will be readily understood that, particularly in the case of a mine field composed of a plurality of mines moored beneath the surface of the water, a mine coming to the surface of the water for any reason such,'for

example, as the result of beingprematurely released from the anchor thereof, will reveal to the enemy the position of the mine field. The device of the present invention, therefore, is'particularly adapfed for use with moored mines in which the mine is'exploded before reaching the surface f the water thereby destroying any evidence which would-indicateto the enemy theapresence of'a mine held within the vicinity.

The-device of the present inventionpossesses the additional advantage of giving a clear unmistakable indication ofthe'i'nstant position of the detonatingelement secured thereto for thereason that the detonating element is operatively connected to a plunger rod s'lidably and visibly 'arrangedrwithin the device and thus the position of the detonator with respect to the booster charge is made rnanife'st at all times during "the assembly and testing of the device and the safety of the personnel engaged in the assembling and testing operations is greatly increased.

:One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved extended mechanism for %thc' detonating element of a mine inwhicht-he detonating vrlevice is moved through a relatively large distance from aninitial retracted position to an extended position by an increase in the'p'ressure of the surrounding water without employing a motion multiplying device.

Another of the objects is to provide anew andimproved extended mechanism adapted to be employed with a mine suitable for launching from a torpedo tube of a submarine inwhich there is no possibility of any of the moving parts thereof becoming detached from the mine during the launching operation.

Another object is the provision of a new and improved hydrostatically controlled'extender mechanism adapted to close a firing circuit to a detonator secured thereto during the movement of the detonator from the extended position towards the retracted position thereof.

Still another object is theprovision of a new and im proved extender mechanism for the detonator of a mine having means for closing a-firing circuit as the detonator lisrjinovedaway from the extended position 'by a reduction in the pressure of the surrounding water in which means -are provided whereby the mechanism may be operated manually and repeatedly through a plurality of cycles of operation during the assembly and testing of the device without-disassembling the mechanism.

A further object is the provision of a detonator extender mechanism adapted to close "a firing circuit as the detonatoris'moved away from the fully extended position in which means are providedfor locking the .circuit closing means inopen circuitposition during the movement of the detonator to the fully extended position.

Still'other objects,'adva'ntages and improvements will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a View partially in section and partially broken away of amine employing the device of the invention;

;Fig.i2 is an enlarged plan view of the device;

Fig. 3 is abottom view of the device;

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of the device;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially centrally through the device;

Fig. 6 is a view taken along the line of 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a view of the device similar to Fig. 5 with the awning pin removed;

Fig. 8 a view somewhat enlarged taken along the line 8-8 of Fig.7;

Fig. 9 is a view of the switch mechanism taken substantially along the line 99 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7 with the detonator in the extended position;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view partially broken away and partially in section showing the switch actuating element 1n locked position by engagement with the detonator supporting member;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view partially broken away and partially in section showing the switch mechanism actuated to circuit closing position; and

Fig. 13 illustrates in diagrammatic form an electrical arrangement suitable for use with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete understanding of the invention on which like numerals of reference are employed to designate likeparts throughout the several views and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof there is shown thereona mine-indicated generally by the numeral Zlilcomprising a cylindrical casing 11 to which is secured as by the bolts 12 a cap 13,9. suitable gasket 14 being preferably employed to insure a water tight connection therebetween. The mine is provided with a wall or partition 15 thereby to form a'chaniber 16 within which is yieldably supported as by the resilient cushion or pads is? composed of material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as rubber,-a firing-mechanism indicated generally'by thenumeral 18 0f any suitable type for-firing the mine in-response to the approach of the vessel within the vicinity of the mine such, for example, as the mine firing mechanism disclosed and claimed in the copending application of James B. Glennon -et a1. for Firing Mechanism for a Submarine Mine, Serial No. 395,230, filed May 26, 1941.

The mine firing mechanism is an electrical circuit with a battery 19, hereinafter referred to as BA, as-by the electrical cable 21 and in electrical connection with an arming clock 22. The cable 21 is also employed to establish an external electrical connection to the extender mechanism 23 arranged Within a well 24 within the casing of the mine, a tube or duct 25 having one end thereof in communication with the well being preferably provided to enclose and protect the aforesaid cable. The clock 22 may be of any typesuitable for the purpose adapted to close a circuit from the battery It? to the mine firing mechanism 1-8 when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the mine has been launched such, for example, as the arming clock disclosed in the aforesaid applicatiomSerial No. 395,230 forFiring Mechanism for a Submarine Mine,

filed May 26, 1941, by James B. Glennon et al.

The battery 19is preferably secured within the casing of the mine by the bolts 26 and clamping plate 27. The partition 15 also provides a chamber 28 within which is arrangeda main explosive charge 29, an aperture 31 being provided within the casing of-the mine for the introduction of the explosive charge therein. The aperture is adapted to be sealed by a cover32 maintained int-he assembled position 'by'the bolts 33. The-extender-mechanism '23 comprises a support 34 having a flanged-portion-35- secured to a shoulder within the well 24 as by the bolts 36, a gasket 37 preferably 'beingprovided to insure a water tight connection therebetween. The sup port 34 is provided'with adownwardly projecting member 38 secured thereto as bythe bolts 39, Fig. 4, and having a cylindrical bore therein within which is slideably arranged a plunger or rod 41, Fig. 5. The rod '41 is also provided with a locking memebr 42 threadedthereon and slideably arranged within a cap or beatingsupport 43 secured to the support '34 in any suitablemanner as by the screws 44. The rod 41 is also provided with a collar or shoulder 45 adaptedto'engage the support 43 when the rod is moved to the retracted position and thereby effectively stop the rod at the c'ompletion of the outward movementthereof during the assembly and testing of the device.

There is also provided a flexible circular diaphragm 46 composed of material suitable'for the purpose such, for example, as flexible rubber or any of the synthetic varieties thereof, the central portion of the diaphragm'being clamped to the aforesaid collar as by'the nut 47 threaded on the plunger 41,- a cup shaped member '48 be ing arranged bet'Wee'n -thenut and-the diaphragm-copra vent -the collapse of the diaphragm by the pressure of the surrounding water when the rod'41 is in the retracted position. The outer annular portion of the diaphragm is secured in sealed relation to a shoulder within the support 34 in any suitable manner as by the' clamping ring 49 and washer 51. I A chamber 52 isthus provided within the support 34 to which wateris admitted by a plurality of apertures 53 of relatively small diameter arranged within the cap support 43. The collar of the plunger is normally urged into engagement with the bearing support 43 by a spring 54 disposed about the plunger and having one end thereof in engagement with the inner portion of the cup shaped member 48 and the other end in engagement with a flanged portion 55 on the cup shaped member 56. The support 34 is also provided with a cylindrical recessed portion .57 of sufliciently greater diameter than the member 48, to allow the diaphragm 46 to be flexed into engagement with the recessed portion 57 of the member 38 by the pressure of the water within the chamber 52 during movement of the rod 41 from the retracted to the extended position thereof.

The locking member 42 is provided with an annular recessed portion 58 adapted to coact with a pair of looking balls 59 respectively disposed within two diametrically arranged apertures 61 within the bearing support 43, each of the apertures being preferably tapered or otherwise constricted at the inner portion thereof sufiiciently to prevent the balls from being dislodged therefrom when the rod 41 is moved to the extended position.

The balls 59 are releasably maintained in locking engagement with the member 42 by a cup shaped cap 62 slideably arranged about the bearing member 43 and urged outwardly therefrom by a spring 63. The cap 62 is provided with a pair of pins or dowels 64, Fig. 6, adapted slideably to engage a pair of slotted portions 65 within the member 43 whereby rotative movement of the cap with respect to the member 43 is prevented. Each of the pins 64 is preferably provided with a threaded portion 66 adapted to receive a suitable tool and thereby facilitate the withdrawal of the pins from the cap, if desired. The pins 64 are normally maintained in the assembled position with-respect to the cap 62 by the spring 63.

There is also provided within the cap 62 an aperture 67 adapted to be brought in alinement with an aperture 68 within the member 43 when the cap is in the position shown on Fig. 5 of the drawings thereby to receive an arming pin 69 and additionally prevent movement of the plunger 41 from the initial retracted position thereof by reason of the engagement of the pin 69 with the recessed portion 71 of the locking member 42. An arrangement i is thus provided in which movement of the cap 62 from an initial safe position and movement of the plunger 41 from the retracted position thereof is prevented until the safety pin has been withdrawn from the cap 62 by the line 72 and handle 73 secured thereto.

The cap 62, it will be noted, is provided with an aper ture 74 centrally arranged therein in alinement with the plunger 41 whereby the plunger may be manually operated, if desired, to the extended position by a tool inserted within the aperture "in abutting relation with the locking member 42 secured to the plunger. Furthermore by providing an aperture 74 within the cap '62 in the manner disclosed, the instant position of the plunger rod may be visually ascertained at all times during th assembly and testing of the device.-

The cap 62 is also provided with two recessed por tions 75 of sufficient size to permit the balls 59 to be forced outwardly to the position shown in dashed outline on Fig. 7 out of locking engagement with the member 42 by the pressure of the water against the flexible diaphragm 46' when the cap 62 has been moved outwardly by the spring 63 to the position shown on Fig. 7 with the pins 64 in engagement with the outer end of the slotted portions 65 respectively of the support 34. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the pins 64 are employed to prevent rotative movement of the cap 62 with respect to the bearing support 43 and additionally to prevent the cap from being detached from the support as the mine emerges from the torpedo tube of the mine laying craft during the launching operation.

The inner end of the rod 41 is recessed as at 76 thereby to receive and support an electroresponsive detonator 77 secured thereto as by the screws 78. The plunger rod is also provided with an aperture 79 in alinement with one of a pair of elongated apertures 81 within the member 38 within which is disposed a pair of flexible conductors 82 for establishing an external electrical connection between the detonator and a terminal block 83 secured to the member 38 as by screws 84. By arranging a pair of elongated apertures 81 within the member 38 in the manner disclosed, a structure is provided in which the detonator may be secured to the plunger rod after the device has been assembled by inserting a suitable tool within the apertures 81 and tightening the screws 78. The terminal block is preferably provided with a guard or shield 85 thereby to protect the electrical terminals and conductors connected thereto from injury or the possibility of coming into electrical contact with the casing of the mine during the assembly and test of the device.

There is also provided a switch mechanism 86 secured .to the member 38 as by screws 87, the switch comprising, among other elements, a casing 88 composed of insulating material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as Bakelite or a molded phenol plastic. The casing includes a recessed portion 89 and an additional recess 91, the purpose of which will be more clearly apparent as the description proceeds. The switch is adapted to be enclosed by a cover 92 composed of suitable insulating material such as Bakelite or Lucite and secured to the casing 88 as by the. screws 93, Fig. 5. The casing 88 is provided with a bearing pin 94, Fig. 8, secured thereto in any suitable manner as by molding the parts together. Rotatively and slidably supported by the pin 94 is an actuating member 95 having a longitudinal slotted portion 96 therein within which the pin 94 is disposed. The member 95 is provided with a cylindrical portion 97 having a spring 98 wrapped thereabout, one end of the spring being arranged Within an aperture 99 within the member 95 and the other end of the spring being an engagement with a shoulder 101 on the casing 88 and exerting suflicient pressure thereagainst to urge the member 95 toward the member 38 whereby the member 95 is yieldably maintained in the initial position substantially as shown on Fig. 7. i Rotatively mounted about the pin 94 is a plate 102 having a pair of tabs 103 extending upwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the member 95 whereby rotative movement of the member 95 is communicated to the plate 102 by reason of the engagement of the member '95 with the aforesaid tabs. Pivotally mounted on the" pin 94 intermediate the plate 102 and the member 95 is a switch element 104 having a pair of arms 105 and 106 adapted to be brought into engagement with the contact members 107 and 108 respectively as the switch is moved to the closed position during rotative movement of the member 95 by reason of the provision of an arm 109 thereon disposed between the'tabs 103 and adapted to be engaged thereby. The contact members 107 and 108 are secured to the casing 88 in any suitable manner as by molding the parts together and provided with nuts 111 adapted to secure the pair of electrical conductors 112 and establish an external circuit connection to the terminals of the terminal block 83.

The actuating member 95 comprises an arm 113 arranged within the slotted portion 114 of the member 38, the arm having a cam surface 115 thereon adapted assures "toffbe 'engaged by the lower end of the plunger rdd 41 during the "movement (if the rod to the "extended jposi. tio'n. Whenthisbccursthe member 95 is -'torced-endwise into the recess 91, T Fig. 11, Within the casing 88 thereby locking the switch against premature actuation to the closed pOsitiOn. -Wh'en theplungerrod has moved 'toward the extended 'position sufiiciently for a shoulder 1 16formedtherein to be moved out of engagement With'theend of the arm -113,the member'95is moved inwardly by "the Spring '98 to the position shown on Fig. TOwith the end of the arm disposed within the path of't-ravelof the shoulder 116 wherebythe "switch is adapted to be moved to circuit closing position during themovem'ent of the'plun'ger '41 from'the extended position toward the retracted position. The endwise movement of the member "1 as the arm 113 thereof 'moves intdthe'path of travel of the shoulder 116 causes the member '95 to be withdrawnfrorn the recessy91 thereby unlocking ,the switch.

As the plunger-41 is-movedtoward the retractedposition by the spring 54 in response'to a'reduction inthe pressure of the surrounding water, shoulder 1'16 engages the arm 11-3 of'themember 95 and movesthe lower tab 103 away trom'the shoulder or stop 117 on the casing 88 with which the tab is normally in engagement by reason of the force applied thereto by the spring '98 and the switch arms 105 and 106 are brought'into engagement ,with the contacts 107 and 108 respectively during the continued movement of the plunger toward the retracted position. The arm 113 is prevented from beingprematurely disconnected from the shoulder 116 during the movement of the plunger toward the retracted position by the arcuate portion 120 of the casing 88.

"In the event that the plunger 41 is moved outwardly from the extended position to the retracted position during the assembly and testing 'of'the device, the switch actuating and contact closing mechanism is moved to theposition shown on Fig. 12 until the lower end of the plunger41 moves past the end of the arm'1 13. 'When this occurs the switch is immediately restored by the spring 98 m the initial unoperated position in engagement with the shoulder 117 of the casing 88, Fig. 7.

Rotative -niovement of the plunger rod 41 is prevehtedby a screw 118, Fig. 6, threaded therein having the head of the screwslidably disposed within one of the slotted apertures-81 of the member 38. The memberSS, it will'be noted, is also preferablyprovided with apair ofdiametricaliy arranged slots 119 at the lower portion thereof thereby to provide clearance for the screws 78 as the plunger rod 41 moves to the fully extended position. The member 38 is also provided with a collar or flange 121 adapted to engage a container -1-22,'Fig. 1, filled with an explosive booster charge '123 'adaptedto be 'fired by the detonator 77 when the detonator hasbeen moved to the extended position.

Referring now specifically to -Fig. lot the drawings on which is shown the device of the present invention assembled within the casing of a mine, it will be noted that the cap-62 is adapted to be held in the safe positionby a safety bar, 124 having'one end thereof arranged within a s'upport'125 and the other end of the barreleasably secured to the casing of the mine by a safetykey 126,'the safety bar also passing over and in abutting relationwith a safety cap 127 associatedwith the arming clock 22. The cap 127 is also preferably provided with a safety pin having a line'and handle connected thereto to facilitate Withdrawal of the'safety pin :similar to the arrangement employed with the cap-62.

When the mine is placed within a torpedo tube the safety pins are withdrawn from the caps-62 and 127 "and the 'safety key 126 is withdrawn fromengagement with the end of the safety bar 124. the "mine 'is' expel'ledtfrom 'the torpedo tube the safety bar 124' is forced T '8 outwardly by the pressure of tl:ie eaps 62 and 127 them: against and falls free from -the mi'ne. rhe caps 62 :and 127 a're now moved outwardly by th'epre'ssure ofthe springs 63 and 1 23 respectively, thereby unlockingthe extender mechanism 23 and setting the-clock :22 in 'operation.

As the mine sinks in the water the increased pressure within the'chaniber 52 causes the plunger '41 to be moved inwardly by thelflexible diaphragmdtherebyforcing the balls 59 outwardlyto the position shown in dashed-outline on Fig. 7, the plunger 41 andd'etonator 77 secured thereto being moved progressively toward the extended position as the pressure of the :surrounding water creases during the descent of the mine :Within thewater. In; the=iilustrated embodiment of the-invention the mine is is adapted to come to rest'in engagement with the bed of the body of water within which the mine is planted, the-depth of water beingsuflicient to cause the detonator to be moved to the fully extendedposition. When a predetermined'period of time has elapsed after the mine has-been planted the contacts of the aiming clock are closed thereby arming the mine. I This will best be understood by considera't-ionofFig. 13 on which is-shown in diagrammatictorm acomplete system suitable for use with thepresent invention.

The olosure of the contacts of the arming clock 22 causes a circuit to be closed from the positive terminal of batteryBA by the way of conductor 129, contacts-of the arming clock, conductor 13!, detonator'77, conductor 132 and thence'to the firing mechanism 18, from whence the circuit is continued by way of conductor 133 to the negative terminal ofbattery BA. The mine is now armed in readiness to be fired by the firing mechanism 18 in response to a signal indication received from a vessel.

The operation of the device in response to a shock or wave of pressure received through the water from a countermine explosionor the explosion of another mine within the vicinity of the device will now be described. As the c'ountermine shock is received the pressure of the water within the chamber 52 is increased and the increased pressure of the water against the diaphragm 46 additionally urges thepiung'er 41 inwardly but'without effect for the reason that the lower end of the cup shaped member-48 is'resting at this time in engagement with the bottom of the well withinthe support 34, Fig. 10. The pressure of the water within the chamber 52 during the time the shock or pressure impulse is received is less than the pressure of'surrounding water by reason ofthe relatively small aperture "53 provided within the support 43. As-is well known in the art to which the present invention pertains, the pressure wave caused by an explosion Within a body of water is followed by a wave the surface of the water by the enemy in an attempt to recover the same, or .in the case of a floating mine, the mine should be moved toward the surface of the water by reason of being disconnected from the mine anchor, the closure of the contacts of the switch mechanism by the movement of the plunger -41 toward the retracted position closes the circuit from thepositive terminalof battery BA by way of conductor 129, cont-acts of the armingclock, conductor 131, detonator 77, conductor 132, and thence by way of the contacts of the switch mechanism 88 andconductor 134 to the negative terminal of battery BA thereby firing the detonator and exploding the mine.

Whereas the invention has'been described with ref- "erence to a particular enample'tlierebf'which 'givessatisfactory results, it will be understood by those, skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention and it is my desire, therefore, in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications. 1

The invention herein described and claimed may be manufactured by or .for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a hydrostatically controlled device of the character disclosed, a detonator, a slideable rod having a flexible diaphragm secured thereto for moving the detonator from a safe position to an armed position in operative relation with an explosive charge in response to an increase in the pressure of the surrounding water, a mine within which the detonator and explosive charge are arranged, means for releasably locking the detonator in said safe position, means detachably secured to the mine for releasing said locking means as the mine is launched, means on said slideable rod for maintaining said diaphragm cylindrioally distended when the detonator is in said safe position, and means for maintaining the diaphragm cylindrically distended when the detonator has been moved to said armed position.

2. In a hydrostatic mechanism for moving a detonator into operative relation with respect to a booster charge, in combination, a slideable rod for supporting the detonator, said rod having an initial position and an extended position, means for moving the rod in either direction between said initial position and said extended position selectively in accordance with variations in pressure of the surrounding water, a shoulder on said rod, a circuit closing device having a moveable element adapted to be engaged by said shoulder during the movement of the rod from the extended position toward the initial position, and a firing circuit for said detonator adapted to be closed by said circuit closing device when the rod has moved a predetermined distance from said extended position toward said initial position.

3. In a'hydrostatic device of the character disclosed, the combination of a slideable rod, means including a flexible diaphragm for moving said rod to an extended position and to an initial position selectively in accordance with variations in the pressure of the water within which the device is submerged, an electroresponsive detonator supported by said rod and movable therewith, a switch device having an actuating element normally disposed within the path of travel of said rod, a cam surface on said actuating element adapted to be engaged by said rod and cause the actuating element to be moved from said path of travel during the movement of the rod from said initial position to said extended position, a firing circuit for said detonator, means included within said switch device for closing said firing circuit selectively under control of said actuating element, means for locking said circuit closing means in open circuit position as the actuating element is moved from said path of travel during the movement of the rod from the initial position to the extended position, and means on said rod for unlocking said circuit closing means as the rod moves into said extended position, said last named means being adapted to move said actuating element and said circuit closing mean-s to circuit closing position during the movement of the rod from the extended position toward the initial position.

4. A hydrostatic device for a mine comprising a slideable rod, means controlled by the pressure of the surrounding water for actuating said rod to an extended position and to an initial position selectively in accordance with the pressure of the surrounding water, a switch device having an actuating element slideably and rotatively arranged therein, means including a resilient ten sion member for yieldably urging a portion of said actuatingelement within the path of travel of said rod, a bearing pin for slideably and rotatively supporting said actuating element, a stop member on said switch device adapted to be engaged by the actuating element, means for preventing said actuating element from being disengaged from said stop member during the movement of the rod to said extended position, circuit closing means rotatively supported by said pin and adapted to be' moved to circuit closing position by said actuating element, and means for causing said circuit closing means to be moved to said circuit closing position during the movement of the rod from said extended position toward said initial position.

5. In an extender mechanism for a mine adapted to be launched from the torpedo tube of a submarine, in combination, a support, a rod slideably arranged within said support and adapted to be moved from an initial position to an armed position, means including a flexible diaphragm within said support adapted to move the rod selectively in response to variations in the pressure of the surrounding water, means including a plurality of releasable balls for locking the rod in said initial position, a cylindrical member slidably arranged on said support and adapted to release said balls when the cylindrical member is moved to a released position, means for moving said cylindrical member to said released position, means detachably secured to the mine for preventing the movement of the cylindrical member to said released position until the mine has been ejected from the torpedo tube, and means for arresting the movement of said cylindrical member when the cylindrical member has been moved to said released position.

In a device of the character disclosed for firing a mine in response to a reduction in the pressure of the surrounding water, a support having a rod slideably arranged therein, means including a flexible diaphragm for actuating said rod to an initial position and to an armed position selectively in accordance with variations in the pressure of the surrounding water, an. electroresponsive detonator supported by said rod and moveable thereby, an explosive charge disposed within the mine and adapted to be fired by said detonator While the detonator is in said armed position, a firing circuit for said detonator, a switch device secured to said support and connected to said firing circuit, said switch device having an actuating element adapted to move the switch to closed position, and means for latching said actuating element to the rod when the rod is in the armed position whereby the switch device is adapted to close said firing circuit and explode the mine when the rod has moved a predetermined distance from said armed. position in response to a reduction in the pressure in the surrounding water.

7. A hydrostatic device for a mine of the character disclosed adapted to move a detonator into operative relation with respect to an explosive charge in response to the pressure of the water within which the mine is planted, a slideable bar within said device, a flexible diaphragm secured to said bar, a resilient spring for yieldably urging the bar toward an initial position, means including a plurality of balls for releasably locking the bar in said initial position, a slideable sleeve adapted to release said balls from locking position as the sleeve is moved to a released position, means adapted to move the sleeve to said released position, and arming pin detachably secured to said sleeve for preventing the sleeve moving to said released position until the arming pin has been removed, said sleeve having an aperture in axial alinement with said bar whereby the bar may be operated at will to said extended position repeatedly during a plurality of cycles of operation, a switch device adapted to be actuated to circuit closing position by said bar as the bar is moved from said extended position toward :the initial :position during -:each 1 of .:.said cycles :of operation, 3 and :means includedWithinsaid switch mechanism for :disconnec'tingithe switchimechanism .xfroniathe bar as the abargmovesiinto. -said.initialtpositionzduring said cycles of operation -whereby :the switch sis restored to open circuit position; prior to thesubseque'nt movement of the'bar from the initialposition toward the extended position.

8. :In a hydrostatic mechanism for moving an electroresponsive a detonator into. operative relation with .respect to a booster chargeythe combination of a slideable rod for supporting saiddetonator, .means for moving said sli-deable rod in either directiona'between an initialposition and an :extended :position thereof selectively .in :response to variations in the pressure of the surrounding water, aifiring. circuit for the .detonator, means: including an element engageable withtthe rod on. downward movement thereof and controlled athereby for .closing said circuitonly afterzengagemenfibythe rod, and actuator meanson sai'dirod for-engaging said element tasthe rod moveslfrom saidextendedpositionrtoward said initial position: in response to a decrease in hydrostatic pressure.

9. A'hydrostatic device'for amine adaptedto move an electroresponsive detonator into operative relation with respect to a booster charge compri'singiin combination, a slideable rod for supporting said 'd etonator, means including a flexible diaphragm in communication 'with the surrounding water and secured to'said rod for mov ing' the rod in either direction between an initial'position and an extendedfposition thereof selectively in response to-variations in'the'pressure of the surrounding'water, means'for releasably locking the rod in said initial position, means detachably secured to the mine for releasing said lockingrneans as the mine is launched, means on therod for maintaining saiddiaphragm cylindrically distended when the rod is in said initial position, means for maintaining the diaphragm cylindrically distended when the rod. has been'moved to said extended position, a firing circuit for the detonator, and means engageable with and adapted to be controlled by the rod forclosing said circuit as the rod moves from said'extended position toward saidrinitial position.

10. Ina hydrostatic extender mechanism for moving a detonator into operative. relation with respect to a booster charge, the combination of a slidable rod, means including a flexible diaphragm for moving said rod to an extended position and to an initial'position .selectively in accordance with variations in the pressure of the water within which the mechanism is submerged, an electroresponsive .detonator suppoited by said rod and movable therewith, -ia ifiring circuit ifOI said detonator, a switch device :adapted efor -closure .of :said v firing circuit upon movement Jot said 1 rod from .anextended :position :to ran initial positi'on, said switch device iincluding a .-rotationally .-.and translationally biased actuating element normally disposed within the path .of travel of said red, a cam surface on said actuating element for engagement by said rod-for'linearactuating element movement-normal to rod travel from the initial position thereof to said extended position, andmeans on said switch device for closingthe firing circuit by rotational movement of the actuating element'in response-'to'said movement of therod from the extended'position thereof toward said initial position.

11. A hydrostatically controlled extender mechanism for a mine having abooster charge therein, said mechanism comprising-a-diaphragm assembly, a rod movable with said diaphragm, a 'detonatorcoupled for movement therewith-from an initialposition to an extended position with respect'to saidbooster charge, and an'antirecovery device including means for engagement with said rod upon movement of said rod from said initial position to the extended position thereof, said anti-recovery-device having a portion which is movable into the path .oftravel of said rod after initial rod movement foractuationinresponse to subsequent retractive move ment--of-therodtoward'the initial position thereof, said anti-recovery device including 'a 'firing circuit for the detonator, a linearly and tortionally biased normally latched circuit'closure element disposed for release movement'transverse-to the path ,of'travel of the rod upon movement of-the'rod to'the extendedposition thereof and further adaptedtobe moved rotatively to a circuit closing position'inmesponse to a pressure reduction .on saidfdiaphragm, and means coacting'with said closure element for closing said circuit as the circuit closing element is moved'to'said circuit closing position.

"References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED'STATES PATENTS 913,524 Leon -Feb. .23, 1909 l,8l4,l52 "Harrison July 14,1931 1,844,575 Harrison Feb. 9, 1932 2,110,552 Hayden Mar. 8,.1938 2,400,549 Glennon et al. May 21, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 246,718 ltaly Apr. 3,.1926

263;985 "Italy Apr. 10,1929

772,060 'France Aug. 6,1934 

